Cabbage Patch Stew

Browned ground beef and onion combined with kidney beans, diced tomatoes, vegetables and spices, a healthy dinner or lunch that is high in protein, full of fiber and vegetables.

Cabbage patch stew is a old dish from Texas, likely influenced by the large influx of Germans in the 1800's, and it is a popular dish in the Amish community.

I first started cooking this dish a few years ago when I was on a low carb diet and trying to find recipes that had vegetables and meats combined in one pot. I have tried making many different versions of this dish, but when I made this version I am about to share, everybody in the family absolutely loved it. This recipe makes a large pot full, so you will have a lot left over for the next day, which is a good thing because this is one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day. You can also freeze leftovers. I am not kidding, every time I make this dish, I eat it for two days and I always loose weight, at least one pound!

I also find Cabbage Patch Stew delicious and comforting! Imagine that, a comfort food you might lose weight from!!

Here is how you make it:

1. Chop the onion, vegetables and mince the garlic.

Browning meat and onion for cabbage patch stew

2. Brown the ground beef or turkey with the chopped onion over medium high heat. I don't use any oil or butter in the pan as the meat always has fat regardless of how lean it is. When the meat is brown, drain off excess fat.

3. Add the garlic, stir and cook for one minute.

4. Add the rest of the ingredients, one at the time stirring to combine in between each ingredient - I add the cabbage at the very end. Cover and bring to a boil. After 3-4 minutes reduce the heat to medium low and cook for one hour. When 10 minutes are remaining, take the lid off so that some of the liquid can evaporate. Take it off the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes before digging in. Depending on how salty the Beef Broth you used were, you may need to add a little more salt.

The dish is so tasty by itself that I don't feel it need to be served with anything. But you could serve it with steamed rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes, garlic bread or bread. Keep in mind that if you choose to serve it with something it will no longer be the dish that makes you loose that pound.

For variety I sometimes makes this dish completely without tomatoes or tomato sauce. It becomes a different dish entirely, but is just as delicious.

Here is what you need:

1 1/2 lb. ground beef or turkey

1 onion, chopped

3-4 cloves of garlic, crushed

1 bunch celery, chopped

StartFragment1 cabbage, chopped

2 medium carrots, chopped

2 14-16 oz. cans of kidney beans

1 28 oz. can of diced tomatoe

1 14-16 oz. tomato sauce

3 cups beef broth (or one beef bouillon cube and three cups of water)